I think this is the last time Shaq has a shot at trying to win a title. It is only for one year because neither he or Lebron will be in Cleveland after next year.

I'm now convinced the NBA is fixed.

Just wait until 2010..

BAMAPHIN 22

06-25-2009, 03:16 PM

O'Neal now a transient, and getting him doesn't make Cavaliers title-ready

The Big Rental got his way, again. That no longer should come as a surprise.

In the end, Shaquille O'Neal has turned into the very man he mocked for a transient end of a career. Now, he is Patrick Ewing in a Sonics uniform and then a Magic uniform.

The Big Sidekick, of course, also gets to ride again.

But is Shaquille O'Neal now too much of The Big Liability?

Let's get this straight: the reason the Cavaliers saw their NBA-best record end in an Eastern Conference finals demise against the Orlando Magic was not because of Dwight Howard's interior dominance. Even with Howard's scoring, the Cavaliers were right there.

It was not about establishing a post-up game. Orlando was packing the paint against LeBron, so it's not as if there was plenty of room to maneuver in the lane, anyway.

It was about defending the pick-and-roll.

And, if you haven't noticed, it's not as if Shaq has deteriorated into one of the worst defenders in the league against the pick-and-roll. He was awful even when he was winning his three consecutive championships with the Lakers. It's just that there was enough talent available to mask that deficiency.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/31545227/ns/sports-nba/

X-Pacolypse

06-25-2009, 03:34 PM

Now all we'll hear is how Cleveland and the Lakers are Stern's boner matchup for 2010

It also means more puppets.

Ferretsquig

06-25-2009, 03:50 PM

I think Shaq will try his best to make it work but I have to agree with the nbc guy. They lost to the Magic because of their inability to defend the pick and roll, not because Howard was some great beast in the post. It was his quickness and ability to set picks that rendered big Z useless. I wouldn't be so quick to hand them the title just yet.

phinman1

06-25-2009, 05:01 PM

It's up to LeBron. Is he good enough to make Shaq matter again? Perhaps.

I don't think it will be enough to win the East, especially with Orlando on the verge of getting VC.

Let's not forget that this is a 38 yr. old center with monster miles that helped turn Phoenix from great to crap upon his arrival.

Dolfan3773

06-25-2009, 05:34 PM

I'm now convinced the NBA is fixed.

They really want LeBron to win one huh? Everyday it looks more and more true about the NBA being fixed

CedarPhin

06-26-2009, 12:17 PM

It's up to LeBron. Is he good enough to make Shaq matter again? Perhaps.

I don't think it will be enough to win the East, especially with Orlando on the verge of getting VC.

Let's not forget that this is a 38 yr. old center with monster miles that helped turn Phoenix from great to crap upon his arrival.

Shaq really didn't fit into what PHX was trying to do...not to mention they got rid of D'Antoni.